Rhode Islanders love their news but who they get it from is ever evolving as the industry wrestles with ongoing economic challenges and new delivery models.
Fierce loyalties to favorite broadcasters and traditional news outlets have always made it hard for newcomers to grow a paying audience in the Ocean State market.
But as advertisers followed readers and viewers online, the economic models of many for-profit community and general-interest news organizations have been strained – and in some cases broken.
As this week’s cover story reports, collaborations and nonprofit startups have emerged in bids to control costs and fill news gaps.
In 2024, Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio merged.
“We are leaning into philanthropy and major giving, where we see a growing interest from local donors to invest in the future of Rhode Island’s civic and information ecosystem,” said Pam Johnston, CEO and president of the merged entity, now named Ocean State Media.
Sinclair Inc.-owned WJAR-TV NBC 10 recently bought the nonlicensed assets of longtime competitor WLNE-TV ABC 6, signaling a consolidation of the news operations.
But a fresh wave of newcomers, including The Providence Eye, are eager to join forces to fill demand for niche and hyperlocal news, despite continued funding uncertainty.
“It used to be about who got the scoop,” said Debbie Schimberg, who two years ago founded the nonprofit website focused on local news. “Now we’re actively [exploring] working together.”